THE Huddersfield Giants have rejected a proposed swap deal with Australian NRL club Sydney Roosters for Luke O’Donnell.

The Roosters have made the 32-year-old former Australia Test back-rower their top target ahead of next month’s season start.

With O’Donnell still having a year remaining on his current contract, the Giants would be entitled to compensation if the player were to leave.

But the Roosters have instead suggested a swap deal, which has been rejected by the Super League club.

“Given media reports in Sydney I feel duty-bound to comment on a matter that I feel would have best been kept confidential but now seems to be growing into a media frenzy,” explained Giants managing director Richard Thewlis.

“Our head coach, Paul Anderson, was contacted by the Roosters suggesting a swap deal involving Luke O’Donnell, but none of the options were deemed satisfactory.

“We, of course, informed Luke personally, as these things seem to have ways of leaking out, and he is very comfortable with our actions in respect to what occurred.

“He remains a Giant and will face London Broncos at home on Sunday, which is where all of our energies are focused and not in expanding upon potentially destabilising player-movement rumours.

“It is particularly disappointing that the O’Donnell Sydney reporting has taken the focus away from what was a magnificent opening for our club by winning at St Helens for the first time in 35 years and in a manner that was so eye-catching.”